Viola Duncan

Viola Mae Duncan, age 96, of rural Golden City, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 27, 2016, at her home.      Viola was born July 25, 1919, at the family home near Lamar, Missouri, to Lonnie and Nettie (Pike) McDonald. She was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, Jack McDonald.       On October 17, 1937, Viola married Alden Ray “Bob” Lantz who died in 1945 while serving our country in Germany during World War II. She then married Ralph Duncan on January 2, 1947, and they shared nearly 60 years together before his passing on August 12, 2006.  In addition to farming, Viola and Ralph owned and operated Duncan’s Truck Stop in Jasper as well as a large apartment house in Carthage in earlier years.  A woman of deep faith throughout her life, she ministered to her family and friends by both word and deed and had worshiped with First Assembly of God in Golden City.  She had been an active member of the VFW Auxiliary as long as her health permitted.      Survivors include her children, Donna (Phil) Davison of Golden City, Rodney Duncan, of the home, and Bonnie (John) Butler of Jefferson City; a sister-in-law, Claude Dean McDonald of Golden City; seven grandchildren, Michelle McCarthy, Mark Nelson, Dale Nelson, Nicole Renfroe, Paul Davison, Christa (Mike) Blaine, and Kayla Schanuth; 13 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a large extended Duncan and McDonald family.      Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1st at Daniel Funeral Home followed by burial in Morehead Cemetery.      The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31st at the funeral home.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Assembly of God Teen Challenge, or Avalon Hospice, in care of the funeral home.